Selection Sunday was anything but predictable this year, with surprises, controversies, and powerhouse matchups defining the road to the Final Four. From North Carolina’s controversial inclusion to Auburn edging out Duke for the top seed, here’s what you need to know about this year’s March Madness bracket.

Auburn Earns No. 1 Seed Over Duke

Auburn claimed the tournament’s top seed despite losing three of its last four games, including a previous defeat to Duke in December. The selection committee justified this decision based on Auburn’s tough schedule—ranked second hardest in the country—helped by an SEC conference that set a record with 14 teams in the tournament.

“We’ve got to get our mojo back a little bit,” said Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl.

Florida, another No. 1 seed, dominated the SEC tournament and enters as the favorite to win it all, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

North Carolina’s Controversial Selection

One of the biggest talking points was North Carolina making the cut, despite a 1-12 record against Quad 1 teams. This led to speculation about favoritism, as North Carolina’s athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, chaired the selection committee.

CBS analyst Seth Davis questioned the decision, asking whether North Carolina received an advantage due to Cunningham’s role. However, vice-chair Keith Gill, who oversaw discussions about North Carolina, insisted the selection was fair, citing the team’s perfect 8-0 record against Quad 2 opponents as a deciding factor.

The Tar Heels will face San Diego State in the First Four, while Texas, another last-minute inclusion, plays Xavier.

Rick Pitino and St. John’s Face a Challenging Path

Rick Pitino, now coaching his sixth different team in the NCAA tournament, will lead second-seeded St. John’s in a first-round game against Omaha. If they advance, they could face Arkansas and head coach John Calipari in a second-round matchup loaded with history and drama.

Pitino’s road to the Final Four begins in Providence, where he made his first Final Four appearance in 1987. Meanwhile, Calipari’s first game will be against seventh-seeded Kansas, led by coaching legend Bill Self.

Coaching Legends Return to the Tournament

• Tom Izzo leads Michigan State to its 27th straight tournament appearance. The second-seeded Spartans face America East champion Bryant in the first round.
• UConn looks to make history with a threepeat, a feat not accomplished since the early 1970s. They are seeded eighth and could face Florida in the second round.

SEC’s Dominance and the Tournament’s Big Takeaways

The SEC’s presence in this year’s tournament is historic, but it also created some unusual bracket outcomes:

• Three potential second-round games will feature SEC teams against each other—an outcome the committee generally tries to avoid but became unavoidable with 14 teams in the bracket.
• The SEC, Big Ten (eight teams), and Big 12 (seven teams) combined to claim 42.5% of the tournament’s 68 spots, reigniting discussions about expanding the field further.
• The SEC is now a proven basketball powerhouse, but can the conference win its first national championship since Kentucky’s title run in 2012?

Final Thoughts

With Selection Sunday delivering more twists than usual, the stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable March Madness. Will Auburn prove it deserved the top seed? Can North Carolina silence the doubters? And will Rick Pitino’s return to Providence be one to remember? The action begins Tuesday with the First Four, followed by the full tournament tipping off Thursday and Friday. Buckle up for what promises to be a thrilling ride to the Final Four in San Antonio!

Source: Ap News – March Madness bracket anything but sleepy as Auburn, Tar Heels picks highlight wild Selection Sunday

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Major Injury Concerns for Duke Ahead of March Madness

Top-ranked Duke suffered a major setback in the ACC Tournament as two key players—freshman star Cooper Flagg and defensive standout Maliq Brown—went down with injuries during Thursday’s quarterfinal win against Georgia Tech. The injuries come at the worst possible time as Duke prepares for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Cooper Flagg’s Ankle Injury: A Big Blow for Duke

During the first half, Cooper Flagg went up for a rebound but landed awkwardly, twisting his left ankle in the process. The 18-year-old, who is widely projected as a future No. 1 NBA Draft pick, collapsed to the floor in pain, clutching his ankle.

Coach Jon Scheyer later confirmed that Flagg had suffered a sprained ankle and described his chances of playing in the ACC semifinals as a “real long shot.”

“It’s not about being ready to go tomorrow,” Scheyer said. “We’ve got to see if we can get him right for this run that we can make in the (NCAA) Tournament.”

Although X-rays revealed no fractures, Flagg was seen in visible discomfort. He was later spotted in a wheelchair but managed to walk out under his own power. He rejoined the bench for the second half but did not return to the game.

Maliq Brown’s Shoulder Injury: A Defensive Setback

Just minutes before Flagg’s injury, Duke also lost defensive ace Maliq Brown, who dislocated his left shoulder—the same injury that had sidelined him for three weeks before his recent return. Brown was forced to leave the game after an aggressive defensive play against Georgia Tech’s Naithan George.

Trainer Jose Fonseca had to help Brown off the court as he clutched his shoulder in pain. He was later taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. His return remains uncertain.

Duke’s Challenge Moving Forward

The loss of both Flagg and Brown presents a major challenge for Duke:

• Flagg: The team’s top scorer and rebounder, his absence would be a significant offensive loss.
• Brown: A key defensive player known for his versatility, losing him weakens Duke’s ability to guard multiple positions.

The injuries come as Duke faces a quick turnaround in the ACC Tournament and the looming March Madness. With both players’ availability uncertain, the Blue Devils will need to adjust their strategy heading into the postseason.

Team Reaction: Rallying Without Their Stars

Despite the setbacks, Duke rallied from a 14-point deficit to secure a come-from-behind victory over Georgia Tech. Guard Tyrese Proctor remained optimistic about the team’s resilience.

“Obviously, it’s tough to see them go down,” Proctor said. “But it’s basketball, it happens. We’re going to get them right, and we’ll just continue to play our game.”

Duke will now have to wait and see if Flagg or Brown can recover in time for the team’s upcoming ACC semifinal—and beyond.

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